Training and Coordination Device

ABSTRACT

A training and coordination device including a projectile member such as a ball or sack secured to an elastic string is described. The first end of the elastic string is attached to a location and the second end is connected to the projectile member. At least an end portion of the elastic string secure to the projectile member comprises multiple strands of an odd number. The multiple strands of the elastic string in conjunction with the elasticity of the string generate a random motion of the sack when the sack moves relative to the string.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to generally to a training and coordinationdevice and more particularly to a martial arts attack sack with multiplemechanical parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years the public has become increasingly aware of theimportance of physical fitness. Concurrent with this trend is theincreasing popularity and participation in the martial arts, such askarate. In the past training for sports such as martial arts, baseballor practicing for carnival games like bottle toss can be tedious orcostly. Studying the martial arts requires extensive and constantexercising not only to learn the different movements but to developcoordination, various muscles and quick reflexes. While several deviceshave been developed and are currently on the market for use in physicaldevelopment, such devices do little in aiding one in coordination andquickening his reflexes. Additionally the available devices are not costeffective, are very tedious to carry around and require additionalexercises that make the study of the martial arts a difficult andlaborious process. It would therefore be highly desirable to develop acost effective, multifaceted training and coordination device.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a training and coordination device andmethod of improving coordination of a user with the training andcoordination device. In one embodiment, the training and coordinationdevice comprises a projectile member and an elastic string. Theprojectile member may comprise a ball or a sack containing a filling. Aloop is attached to a section of the projectile member. The elasticstring has a length within the range of 4-15 feet and includes a firstend and a second end. The first end may be attached to a fixed locationor movably supported and the second end is connected to the loop portionof the projectile member or sack. At least a portion of the elasticstring extending up to the second end comprises a multi-strand portionwhich may be formed by threading the second end of the string throughthe loop portion and looping it back on itself, knotting it together ata location spaced from the second end to leave a free end portion thenattaching the free end portion to the loop to form three strands.Additional strands may be formed by threading back through the loopportion and re-knotting repeatedly until a desired number of strands(odd or even) are formed. In one embodiment, an odd number of strandsare provided. The multi-strand portion may alternatively be formed by aplurality of separate strands knotted to the end of the string. Theknots and multi-strand portion of the elastic string in conjunction withthe elasticity of the string generate a random motion of the sack whenthe sack moves relative to the string.

In some embodiments, a method for improving coordination skills of auser with the training and coordination device is described. The methodcan be implemented as a game or as a training tool. The method startswith a user making a first contact with the training and coordinationdevice. As previously described, the training and coordination deviceincludes a projectile member such as a sack or ball and an elasticstring. Making contact with the training and coordination deviceincludes making contact with the sack. The sack is set into a randommotion due to the first contact made by the user. The multiple strandend portion and knots of the string in conjunction with the elasticityof the string generate a random motion of the sack when the sack movesrelative to the string. Finally, the user moves to make further contactwith the sack as it moves away from the point of the first contact wherethe further contact is made prior to the sack returning to a restposition.

In yet another embodiment, a method for improving coordination skills ofa user with the training and coordination device is described. Themethod can be implemented as a game or as a training tool. The methodstarts with a plurality of users assembling around the training andcoordination device where the training and coordination device includesa sack and a string. A user of a plurality of users makes a firstcontact with training and coordination device using at least oneallowable predetermined body part and avoiding contact with other bodyparts. The sack is set into a random motion due to the first contactmade by the user. Any of the plurality of users makes contact with thetraining and coordination device with at least one allowablepredetermined body part.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewingthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure andoperation, may be gleaned in part by study of the accompanying drawings,in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an example illustration of the unassembled components of oneembodiment of the training and coordination device;

FIG. 2 is an example illustration of the assembled components of thetraining and coordination device of FIG. 1 in a rest position;

FIG. 3 is an example illustration of the assembled components of thetraining and coordination device in an active position;

FIGS. 4A through 4F are example illustrations of making contact,avoiding contact and targeting functions of the training andcoordination device.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a designated area for interacting withthe training and coordination device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for improving coordinationskills of a user with the training and coordination device.

FIG. 7 is another flow chart of an exemplary method for improvingcoordination skills of a user with the training and coordination device.

FIGS. 8A through 8Z include example illustrations of the multiplemartial arts maneuvers for making contact with the training andcoordination device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is directed to a training and coordination device andmethods of improving the coordination of a user. After reading thisdescription, it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how toimplement the invention in various alternative embodiments andalternative applications. Although various embodiments of the presentinvention are described herein, it is understood that these embodimentsare presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, thisdetailed description of various alternative embodiments should not beconstrued to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as setforth in the appended claims.

In the past training for sports such as martial arts, baseball orpracticing for carnival games like bottle toss can be tedious or costly.The training and coordination device described herein is a costeffective training device that can be interacted within a single spotand without having to constantly retrieve the training and coordinationdevice. For martial arts training this combines a speed bag sack 20 witha new random factor that keeps you guessing and provides more realistictraining. The training and coordination device is small, elastic andhangs from a fixed location such as a ceiling or a tree. The trainingand coordination device improves martial arts skills by allowing playersto practice their skills with full force and little to no risk ofdamaging themselves or others in the process of practice. The trainingand coordination device improves upon an ancient version which was asmall rock hanging from a piece of silk. The ancient training device ofthe Shaolin Temple was static not dynamic and was hard on the body,whereas the training and coordination device described herein is activeand easy on the hands.

FIG. 1 is an example illustration of one embodiment of the unassembledcomponents of the training and coordination device 10. In someembodiments the training and coordination device can be implemented foruse in a game or for training purposes. The training and coordinationdevice 10 includes a projectile member 20 which may be a ball, a sack, abean bag, or the like and a string 30 such as an elastic string. Theprojectile member may be a sack or enclosure filled with a suitablefilling material or may be any type of ball or other projectile membersuitable for impact or throwing by a user. In one embodiment, the sack20 is composed of cloth or woven material but other materials may beused in alternative embodiment such as synthetic fabric materials,plastic, leather, or the like. In one embodiment, sack 20 comprises anouter portion or enclosure containing a stuffing. The stuffing may becomposed of seeds, beans, small plastic pellets and small woodenpellets, for example. In one embodiment, is a small loop 25 of string,elastic or other suitable material, for example, attached to the sack 20for engaging the elastic string 30. The small loop 25 of string orelastic can be sewn to the outer portion of the projectile member orsack 20. In some embodiments at least a portion of the sack 20 isreinforced, with the loop 25 of string, elastic or other suitablematerial attached to the reinforced portion.

The string 30 can be made of various materials including polyester,rubber and elastic. In some embodiments, the string 30 is non-elastic.The elastic string 30 creates bounce and adds to the movement towardsand away from a user 40 illustrated below. In some embodiments, thelength of the string 30 is within the range of 4 to 15 feet. The lengthof the string 30 can vary according to the circumstances for which thestring 30 is used. For example, the length of the string 30 can belonger to accommodate multiple users or for attaching to a high ceilingand/or tree. The elastic string 30 includes a first end and a secondend. The first end is attached to the fixed location such as a ceilingor a tree. In some embodiments, the training and coordination device 10can be attached to a mobile location to further enhance the coordinationskills of a user 40. A location loop 45 such as a small loop of string,elastic or other suitable material may be attached to the first end forengaging the fixed or mobile location.

The second end of the training and coordination device 10 is attacheddirectly or indirectly to the sack 20 via the small loop 25 of string orelastic, for example. A string loop 35 such as a small loop of string,elastic or other suitable material may be attached to the second end forengaging the sack 20. The string 30 includes a multiple strand portion15 which extends up to the second end of the string and is attached tothe loop 25. In one embodiment, multiple strand portion is attached tosmall loop 35 which in turn is attached to loop 25 as illustrated inFIG. 2. The multiple strands may comprise separate strands which areeach knotted at one end to the remainder of the string at junction 18and knotted to loop 35 or directly to loop 25 at the other end.Alternatively, the multiple strands may be formed by threading a lengthof the string 30 through loop 25, bending the length of the string backon itself and knotting it at junction 18 to leave a free end, bendingthe free end back again and either securing it to the loop 25 orthreading it through the loop 25 and re-knotting it at junction 18 toform additional separate strands. The latter arrangement adds furtherrandom motion to the path of the projectile member or sack 20 whenstruck or thrown. In some embodiments, the string 30 is threaded throughthe loop 25 and rethreaded through its own end. The knotting andmulti-strand end portion 15 creates randomness and unique reactions whencontact is made with the training and coordination device 10. In someembodiments, only an end portion 15 of the string 30 is knotted orarranged to form multiple strands, while in others the entire string maybe multiple strands. In our embodiment, the multi strand portion 15 isabout one to two feet in length. There may be an odd number of strandsin end portion 15 as illustrated while in other embodiments there are aneven number of strands. The odd or even number of strings at the secondend where the string 30 engages the sack 20 makes the sack 20 move in anunpredictable way. The elasticity of the string 30 causes the sack 20 tomove away from a current position in, for example recoil motion, whencontact is made with the sack 20, thereby contributing to the randomnessor unpredictability of the sack 20 movement.

FIG. 2 is an example illustration of the assembled components of thetraining and coordination device 10 in a rest position. In the assembledstate, the training and coordination device 10 includes the sack 20coupled to the second end of the string 30 via the small loop 25 ofstring. In the rest position as illustrated in FIG. 2, the training andcoordination device 10 is in a substantially vertical position with thefirst end of the string 30 hanging from a fixed or mobile location, forexample, and the sack 20 hanging from the second end of the string 30.The training and coordination device 10 is configured to return to itsrest position after contact is made with the training and coordinationdevice 10.

FIG. 3 is an example illustration of the assembled components of thetraining and coordination device 10 in an active position. The trainingand coordination device 10 is in an active state when a user 40, forexample, makes contact with it. Making contact with the training andcoordination device 10 generally includes kicking, punching, slapping orthrowing the sack 20 of the training and coordination thereby setting itoff on a random motion as illustrated in FIG. 3, and causing the string30 to spiral randomly. In the active position the sack 20 continues tomove rapidly and randomly and eventually settles in a rest position ifno further contact is made.

FIGS. 4A through 4F are example illustrations of making contact,avoiding contact and targeting functions of the training andcoordination device. FIG. 4A illustrates a user 40 avoiding contact ordodging the sack 20 when the training and coordination device. In oneimplementation the user 40 dodges the sack 20 to avoid contact with therapidly and randomly moving sack 20 to improve coordination or to avoidnegative points in a game. In one embodiment the user 40 avoids contactwith the sack 20 after making contact with the sack 20 or after adifferent user 40 makes contact with the sack 20. A user 40 may beeliminated from training or a game when the user 40 exceeds a thresholdof negative points. FIG. 4B illustrates a user 40 making contact withthe sack 20 by punching the sack 20. In other embodiments the user 40can make contact with the sack 20 by kicking the sack 20 or catching thesack 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D respectively. The training andcoordination device 10 can be utilized for training exercise and games.In one embodiment, a game implementation involves users 40 makingcontact or avoiding contact with the ball in an attempt to influence theballs movement in order to create a result (game play) or train a skill(martial arts games such as kung fu games). Some of the simplest gamesinclude a “single user toss” or “solo toss.” In this implementation thesingle user 40 stands directly below where the training and coordinationdevice is affixed to the ceiling, for example, and throws the sack 20away from the user 40. The sack 20 returns rapidly and randomly and theplayer catches the sack 20 and throws the sack 20 again. In otherembodiments, the sack 20 is tossed toward a target. In thisimplementation a target point is selected or a target point is electedor hung on a wall. Examples of the targets are illustrated in FIGS. 4Eand 4F. In FIG. 4E the sack 20 is propelled toward a target hole formedby a rope and in FIG. 4F a target spot is implemented on a wall or apiece of paper. In some embodiments, if the user 40 misses the target,they may take one or more steps forwards or backwards making aiming orthrowing of the sack 20 towards the target harder or easier. In otherembodiments, the user 40 is blindfolded or has their eyes closed duringa game or training session. In one embodiment, a game or trainingsession can be initiated by serving the training and coordination deviceincluding making contact with the sack 20 in a predefined routine, suchcontacting the sack with the sole of the foot. In some embodiments, thedevice 10 may be used in a game or training session with multipleparticipants or users. In one example, one of the participants standsfacing into a circle formed by the participants around the training andcoordination device and throws the sack 20 over their shoulder and outof the circle whereupon game play starts when a different user orparticipant 40 makes contact with the sack 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a designated area for interacting withthe training and coordination device. The game play circle of thisillustration includes a game play area with an inner circle that users40 can surround and an outer circle indicating the maximum area forimplementing the game. In some embodiments, the total length of thestring 30 determines the size of the inner and outer circle andsubsequently determines the maximum number of users per game. The numberof users can be as many as would fit in the game play circle. In someembodiments the user 40 makes contact with the sack 20 while outsideand/or inside the circumference of the game play circle.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for improving coordinationskills of a user 40 with the training and coordination device. Themethod can be implemented as a game or as a training tool. At block 600the method starts with a user 40 making a first contact with thetraining and coordination device 10 including a sack 20 and an elasticstring 30. Making contact with the training and coordination device 10includes making contact with the sack 20. When the user makes contactwith the sack, the elasticity of the string 30 in conjunction with themultiple strand end portion 15 generate a random motion of the sack 20when the sack 20 moves relative to the string 30. The process thencontinues to block 610 where the sack 20 is set into a random motion dueto the first contact made by the user 40. Finally at block 620, the user40 moves to make further contact with the sack 20 as it moves away fromthe point of the first contact where the further contact is made priorto the sack 20 returning to a rest position. In general making contactwith the sack 20 includes tossing the sack 20, tossing the sack 20toward a specific target, catching the sack 20, punching the sack 20,kicking the sack 20, blocking the sack 20, striking the sack 20, taggingthe sack 20, serving the sack 20 and hitting the sack 20. These skillsallow users to overcome other users' defenses and advance the user'smartial arts skills. In some embodiments the user 40 takes one or moresteps forward to make a first or second contact with the sack 20. Insome embodiments, the user 40 makes a contact with the sack 20 andfollows up with subsequent contacts as the ball moves away from the user40. The user 40 can continue to make contact with the sack 20 whilestaying put or moving forward until the user 40 cannot make contact withthe sack 20 or maintain a realistic distance from the rest position ofthe training and coordination device, for example. In some embodiments,the user 40 is situated at a point on the outside of the game playcircle or at any point on the circle where the user 40 can reach thesack 20. The user makes contact with the sack 20 and attempts to avoidbeing hit by the sack's recoil while keeping the sack 20 in front of theuser 40. In other embodiments, making contact with the training andcoordination device using open hands is prohibited.

Other specific games or training implementations with the attack sackinclude the following.

Dodge: In this implementation, a player stands directly under the ball,throws the ball away from his or her current position and avoid orattempt to avoid being hit by the ball.Dodge Advanced: In this implementation a player stands directlyunderneath a rest position or underneath the point where the ball isattached and throws the ball behind them and attempt to avoid being hitby the ball.Ninja Dodge (jedi dodge): In this implementation, the player standsdirectly underneath a rest position or underneath the point where theball is attached and with the players eyes closed, throws the ball awayfrom his or her current position and attempt to avoid being hit by theball.Punch Basic: Standing directly underneath a rest position or underneaththe point where the ball is attached a player punches the ball and makescontact or attempt to make contact with the ball every time the ballreturns while avoiding being hit by the ball. Various types of punchesor kicks can be used to make contact with the ball. For example, karatepostures, kung fu postures, boxing postures, round house punches, jabs,and hooks.Punch Forward: A player begins by standing directly underneath a restposition or underneath the point where the ball is attached and startsto lightly punch the ball. As the ball extends away from the player theplayer steps forward and attempt to keep the ball in front of the playerthe entire time.Roving Punch: In this implementation, a player begins by punching theball and then chases the ball or attempt to chase the ball around theroom. The goal is to hit the ball as frequently as possible.Shaolin Punch (5 animal punch): In this implementation, a player beginsby punching or tossing the ball to initiate the swinging of the ball.Using the concept of roving punch, the player tracks and targets theball using contact postures such as shaolin animal fists to make contactwith the ball. Other examples of contact postures include, crane's beak,drunken fist, tiger claw, mantis fist, monkey's paw, dragon claw andleopard paw.Kick it: In this implementation, a player begins by kicking the ball andcontinues to use foot movements to hit the ball and avoid being tagged(i.e. avoid having the ball making contact with a set of predeterminedparts of the players' body)Toss and Catch: In this implementation, a player stands directlyunderneath a rest position or underneath the point where the ball isattached and throws the ball away from the player and catch or attemptto catch the ball on its rebound.Target Toss: In this implementation, the player stands directlyunderneath a rest position or underneath the point where the ball isattached and throws the ball away from the player and attempt to tag aspecific spot or mark on a wall or tree and catch the ball on itsrebound.

Other specific games or training implementations with the attack sackinclude multi player games such as the “Attack Sack Sparring orCompetition Attack Sack.” In this implementation, the players stand in acircle or opposite each other (within a play area or court) surroundingthe ball. Contact is made with the ball by punching or kicking the balltowards the other players. Making contact with the ball in somepredetermined body parts of a player is considered safe. For example,the fingertips up to and including the elbows and tips of toes up to andincluding the knees are “armored” or safe areas that don't constitute atag if you are contacted or “hit” or “tagged” by the ball. Any otherarea of the body that is hit by the ball is a tag. In someimplementations the players only move one space in the circle to theright. The game can be initiated with each player having a number ofpoints. Each time the player is hit or tagged the points are reducedaccordingly until the player is out of points and subsequently out ofthe game. Players continue to circulate the court on each occurrence ofa tag. Players may move about (though not too far out of their playarea) and can use any technique of kicking and punching. Somecompetition games or rounds of the game (a series of game play ending insomeone getting tagged) are limited to only kicking or only crane styleor elbows only.

FIG. 7 is another flow chart of an exemplary method for improvingcoordination skills of multiple users 40 with the training andcoordination device. The method can be implemented as a game or as atraining tool. At block 700 the method starts with a plurality of usersassembling around the training and coordination device 10. The methodthen continues to block 710 where a user 40 of a plurality of usersmakes a first contact with the sack 20 at the end of training andcoordination device using at least one allowable predetermined body partand avoiding contact with other body parts. At block 720, the sack 20 isset into a random motion due to the first contact made by the user 40.Finally at block 730 any of the plurality of users makes contact withthe training and coordination device with at least one allowablepredetermined body part. In some embodiments, making contact with thesack with any body part other than an allowable body part comprises anillegal contact for the game, and accounts for a score against the user40. In some embodiments, the training and coordination device 10 can beserved by the last user 40 who made an illegal contact with the trainingand coordination device 10 using the wrong body part. In someembodiments, multiple body parts are allowed for contract. The allowablepredetermined body part may include parts of the user's 40 body from thefingertips to the elbows and from the knees to the toes. These parts ofthe user's 40 body can be used to make contact with the sack 20. Allother parts of the user's 40 body are predetermined avoidable or illegalbody parts. In other embodiments, a user 40 may not receive a negativescore if hit by the sack 20 after making the initial contact with thesack 20 or after the sack 20 is contacted by the string 30. On the otherhand, a user 40 may receive a negative score if hit by the sack 20 aftera different user 40 makes contact with the sack 20. In some embodiments,when a user 40 makes contact with the training and coordination deviceusing the wrong body part, the plurality of users move in apredetermined direction. The predetermined direction is one of aclockwise and counterclockwise direction.

FIGS. 8A through 8Z include example illustrations of the multiplemartial arts maneuvers for making contact with the training andcoordination device. The maneuvers require making contact with differentparts of the user's 40 body while the user 40 is positioned in adifferent martial arts stance. For example, FIG. 8A the user 40 makescontact with the sack 20 with a front snap to the shin maneuver. FIG. 8Billustrates a front snap to the lower back maneuver. FIG. 8C illustratesa front heel kick to the shin maneuver. FIG. 8D illustrates a front snapwith the heel to the chin maneuver and FIG. 8E illustrates a front snapto the ribs maneuver. Some of the martial maneuvers include crane'sbeak, tiger's claw, sword hand, roundhouse kick, snap kick, long leggedkick.

Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varyingways for each particular application, but such implementation decisionsshould not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of theinvention.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Variousmodifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can beapplied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description anddrawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention and are therefore representative of the subject matterwhich is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is furtherunderstood that the scope of the present invention fully encompassesother embodiments and that the scope of the present invention isaccordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.

1. A method of improving coordination of a user with a training andcoordination device, the method comprising: a user making a firstcontact with a projectile member at a second end of an elastic stringassociated at its first end with a support; the string having amulti-strand end portion extending up to the second end; setting theprojectile member into a random motion due to the first contact made bythe user; as the projectile member travels away from the contact, movingto make further contact with the projectile member prior to theprojectile member returning to a rest position.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein making contact with the projectile member includes tossingthe projectile member.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein tossing theprojectile member comprises tossing the projectile member toward aspecific target
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving to makefurther contact comprises taking one or more steps forward and making asecond contact with the sack.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein makingfurther contacting comprises catching the ball.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising standing directly below where the projectilemember is affixed to the support before making a first contact with theball.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein making contact with theprojectile member comprises punching the projectile member.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the user makes contact with the projectilemember and follows up with subsequent contacts as the projectile membermoves away from the user.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein makingcontact comprises kicking the projectile member.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the user makes contact with the projectile member whileoutside the circumference of a marked circle.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the user avoids contact with the projectile member after makingcontact with the projectile member.
 12. The method of claim 1, whereinthe step of making contact comprises propelling the projectile membertowards a target location.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the stepof making contact includes one of blocking, kicking, punching, striking,tagging and hitting the ball.
 14. A method of improving coordination ofusers with a training and coordination device, the method comprising:associating a first end of an elastic string with an overhead supportsuspending a projectile member secured to a second multi-strand endportion of the string from the support; a plurality of users assemblingaround the suspended projectile member; one of the users making a firstcontact with the projectile member using at least one allowablepredetermined body part and avoiding contact with other, non-allowedbody parts; setting the sack into a random motion due to the firstcontact made by the user; any of the plurality of users making a secondcontact with the projectile member with at least one allowablepredetermined body part while avoiding contact with the projectilemember by any non-allowed body part.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising computing scores against users which comprise a count for anycontact by a non-allowed body part of the user with the projectilemember predetermined avoidable body part accounts for a score againstthe user.
 16. The method claim 14, wherein making contact with thetraining and coordination device using open hands is prohibited.
 17. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the plurality of users are assembled in acircle around the training and coordination device.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising stopping play when a user contacts theprojectile member with a non-allowed body part, followed by the user whocontacted the projectile member throwing the projectile member back intoplay.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of making firstcontact comprises a user of the plurality of users standing facing intoa circle formed by the plurality of users around the training andcoordination device and throwing the projectile member over theirshoulder and out of the circle.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising the plurality of users moving in a predetermined directioneach time a user makes contact with the training and coordination deviceusing a non-allowed body part.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein thepredetermined direction is one of a clockwise and counterclockwisedirection.